Dutch proggers Ice are a spin-off from the outfit Maryson who released a couple albums guided by the writings and keyboards of W.J. Maryson (aka Wim Stolk). The good news is that if you liked what Maryson had to offer, you’ll be very pleased with The Saga. The album is a sci-fi/fantasy concept piece told through music and lyrics much like the Maryson albums, which begs the question, what was behind Stolk’s split if the rest of the band have continued on as if nothing has really changed? The band ply predictable territory for their ilk: well-executed and melodic symphonic prog with liberal doses of Saga, Camel circa Dust and Dreams and post-Gabriel Genesis. Instrumentally the songs incorporate moments of acoustic tranquility though for the most part they embrace electric prog rock replete with heroic lead guitar lines, crunchy power chords, grinding (digital) organ and twiddly synths. Sometimes they’re playing a bit too hard at the “if only Genesis had stayed a prog band through the 80s” game but for this sort of thing they are quite good. Vocalist Hein van den Broek is often the focal point of the songs though keyboard player Ardie Westdijk and guitarist Chris van Hoogdalem chew scenery with abandon as well. Hoogdalem was the bright spot in Maryson and it’s good to have him back in action. There seems to be a bottomless demand for this brand of prog rock and Ice are as capable of satisfying it as anyone these days.

Latest news

2017-07-27Yestival Dates Beef up the Beat –
Word reaches us that Dylan Howe (son of guitarist Steve Howe) will be joining Yes on their "Yestival" tour, drumming alongside longtime band member Alan White. »
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2017-05-19First ProgStock Festival Set for October –
October 2017 will see the inaugural edition of a festival called ProgStock in Rahway, New Jersey at the Union County Performing Arts Center. With a definite slant towards neo-progressive music, the event is sure to please many fans with the inclusion of such artists as Echolyn, Glass Hammer, and Aisles. The festival will take place October 13-15. »
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2017-05-05Clive Brooks RIP –
Word reaches us today of another sad passing in the music world. Drummer Clive Brooks, best known as a member of such Canterbury bands as Egg, Uriel / Arzachel, and Groundhogs, has died at the age of 67. Details are sketchy at this point. The news was reported on Nick Mason's Facebook page — Brooks was Mason's drum tech. »
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2017-05-02Col. Bruce Hampton RIP –
The phrase "He died doing what he loved" is almost a cliche, but in the case of Col. Bruce Hampton, it couldn't be more true. Hampton, who was born Gustav Berglund III, collapsed on stage at his own 70th birthday celebration and later passed away. The event took place at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. »
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2017-04-16ProgDay 2017 Announces First Bands –
Flor de Loto, Sonar, and Infinien are the first three performers to be announced for the 2017 edition of the long-running ProgDay Festival. The 23rd ProgDay takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 2nd and 3rd, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. »
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Previously in Exposé...

Tungsten 74 - Await Further Instructions –
As it turns out, I’ve lately come across a number of CDs that feature a lot of guitar feedback. Luckily, there’s a fair amount of variety in the bunch. Tungsten 74’s take on feedback is an...
(2002) »
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